Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Enzo Maresca revealed no discussions have taken place with Real Madrid target Rodri over his future with Manchester City.
Rodri is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and has been linked with a return to Spain, with Jose Mourinho’s Madrid a reported destination.
The likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with a move for the 30-year-old, who captained Spain to World Cup glory over the summer.
He is currently undergoing rehabilitation after undergoing minor back surgery following his World Cup campaign, but all the talk surrounds his future with the Citizens.
Rodri made just 21 Premier League appearances in 2025-26 as he continued to struggle with fitness setbacks, following his return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
But he looked back to his best for Spain at the World Cup and was named the player of the tournament. He ranked first among all players at the tournament for successful passes (756), with that figure also being the most by any player at a single World Cup on record (since 1966).
The Spaniard also led all other players in the competition for tackles attempted (23) and tackles won (18), and after adding the World Cup and the Golden Ball to his impressive trophy cabinet, Rodri’s future has been a huge talking point this summer.
And ahead of City’s pre-season friendly with Inter, Maresca was on hand to deliver an update on the situation surrounding Rodri.
“The main focus for him when the season finished was the World Cup. Now, he enjoys some rest after that,” said Maresca in a press conference.
“We didn’t have any conversations, just focused on Rodri.
“I said in the first press conference that any manager in the world wants Rodri because he’s a top player, so it’s important for me, for the club, for everyone.
“Now, he needs his holiday, which is very important when we start to play every three days.”
756 – Most successful passes in a single FIFA World Cup in the last 60 years:
756 – Rodri in 2026
671 – Pau Cubarsí in 2026
638 – Rodri in 2022
616 – Aymeric Laporte in 2026
596 – Xavi in 2010
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 20, 2026
City begin their pre-season preparations on Saturday when they take on Serie A champions Inter at Kai Tak Sports Park.
A clash against the K-League Allstars follows that before facing Atletico Madrid, with Arsenal their opponents in the Community Shield on August 16.
Maresca confirmed that Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Omar Marmoush will join his squad during the Asian tour, though none will be ready to feature against Inter.
Dias and Nunes were both a part of Portugal’s World Cup squad, while Marmoush helped Egypt reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time.
“We currently have a large number of young players here,” Maresca added.
“Three more players from the first team will join tomorrow, and the rest of the players will follow one after another. I am happy to work with the group that is currently here.
“We would have liked to have them with us, but they need to rest after the World Cup.
“Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Omar Marmoush will arrive late tomorrow morning, so they will not be available to feature against Inter, while the rest of the players will return gradually after their holidays end.”
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